In Europe, Volvo has had great success with their diesel technology and low emissions. Included with those low C02 levels have always been high economy as most new-age Volvo diesels have been matched to manual transmissions. Not to be out done by a clutch pedal, Volvo’s latest six speed Powershift automatic can be had with the 1.6 liter 115 horsepower diesel inline four cylinder on four models. When put in the V60, S60,V70 and S80, the Powershift can manage the same level of fuel economy that can be had by the six speed manual as well as the same low emissions. In the S60, the diesel-Powershift combo is good for 55 mpg.
“For the first time ever, we have managed to bring the fuel consumption in variants with automatic gearbox down to the same level as in the manual versions. An impressive achievement by our powertrain experts,” said Peter Mertens, Senior Vice President Research and Development for Volvo Car Corporation. The Powershift is a good old-fashioned automatic with a few modern-day tricks. Features such as start/stop, lower friction gear components, and a newly recalibrated transmission control unit all make the Powershift just as efficient as its manual brother.
Source: Volvo
